Preform and Die Designs for Hot Forging Process of Linear Slide Block

Abstract

In this study, the preform and die designs of hot forging process were proposed for a long-flat slide block. This block is assembled to the linear slide for carrying the moving table. Three different billet geometry designs were proposed to obtain good die filling. The volume of the flash is limited to 30% with a flash thickness design in 3 mm. The forging die was designed with four ejectors to push up the forged part smoothly. The proposed billet geometries and die design were evaluated using CAE simulation. The simulation results indicated that the suitable perform design is able to achieve better material flow. The flash flow control is able to reduce the forming load and improve the die filling. The forging experiments were carried out to verify the proposed method, the experiment results showed good agreement with the CAE simulations. For the Improvement of wear and corrosion resistances of Inconel718 (In718) surface, high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray coating of micron-sized WC-Cr-C-Ni powder was coated onto Inconel718 surface and laser heat-treatment of the coating was carried out. Porous coating of porosity 2.2±0.4% was prepared by HVOF coating, and it was improved by laser heat-treatment, reducing the porosity to 0.35±0.08%. Micro-hardness of laser heat-treated coating increased more than four times compared to the surface of In718. Friction coefficient decreased by HVOF coating and laser heat-treatment. Wear resistance improved, decreasing the wear depth by the coating and laser heating. The interface between coating and In718 was compacted, and elements diffused from both coating and inconel718 substrate to interface, forming metal rich buffer zone (interface) and enhancing the adhesion of coating. Corrosion resistance improved by coating in sea water 3.5% NaCl solution and in 1M HCl acid, but it worsened in 1M NaOH base. For the improvement of wear and corrosion resistances of Inconel718, HVOF WC-metal power coating and laser heat-treatment are recommended.